Device for setting cigarettes in the same direction



May 16, 1967 G. GAMBERIN! 3,319,764

7 DEVICE FOR SETTING CIGARETTES IN THE SAME DIRECTION Filed April 15, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR GOFFREDO GAMBE RINI BY W ATTOR NEY May 16, 1967 G. GAMBERINI DEVICE FOR SETTING CIGARETTES IN THE SAME DIRECTION 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 15, 1965 Now mom m m mQm INVENTOR GOFFREDO GAMBERINI BY 50 I ATTORN Y 3,319,764 7 DEVICE FOR SETTING GIGARETTES IN THE SAME DIRECTION Filed April 15, 1965 May 16, 1967 G. GAMBERINI 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR GOFFREDO GAMBERINI BY 2T 8% ATTORNEY May 16, 1967 G. GAMBERINI DEVICE FOR SETTING CIGARETTES IN THE SAME DIRECTION 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed April 15, 1965 INVENTOR GOFFREDO GAMBERINI BY 2'. (W3

ATTORN EY y 1967 5. GAMBERINI 3,319,764

DEVICE FOR SETTING GIGARETTES IN THE SAME DIRECTION Filed April 15, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR GOFFREDO GAMBERINI ATTORNEY 3,319,764 DEVICE FUR SETTING (IIGARETTES IN THE SAME DIRECTION Goffredo Gamberini, Bologna, Italy, assignor to American Machine 8: Foundry Company, a corporation of New Jersey Filed Apr. 15, 1965, Ser. No. 443,325 Claims priority, application Italy, Apr. 27, 1965, 6,656/65 Claims. (Cl. 19833) This invention is a mechanism for orienting filter cigarettes so that the tobacco portion of each is disposed in the same direction with respect to the filter portion of each.

An object of the invention is the improvement of cigarette orienting mechanism.

The premise is that the direction of a cigarette is definable with relation to the filter, to the holder, or to the brand name printed on the cigarette. The present invention has for its purpose the provision of a device for orienting cigarettes in the same direction.

By way of example, and without limitation to same, it is assumed that the orienting device will be arranged to orient filter cigarettes produced by a machine which applies the filters to the cigarettes.

It is noted that in the manufacture of filter cigarettes a double filter is generally applied between two cigarettes. The structure thus formed, comprising two cigarettes interconnected through the double filter, is then separated by a transverse cut through the center. This process affords two cigarettes each having a filter at a respective end in abutting relationship.

A packaging problem then arises in that it is necessary to orient one of the cigarettes in such a way that both filters will be in the same respective position with respect to the cigarette of which it is a part. In other words it is necessary to rotate one of these cigarettes through an angle of 180 degrees about its transverse axis.

According to one practical form of the invention, the orienting mechanism comprises a rotating cigarette orienting head, or wheel, which coacts with a rotating drum having transverse grooves or flutes on its cylindrical periphery. The transverse grooves, or flutes, carry the severed cigarettes in axial alignment with the filters abutting. The rotating drum is arranged so that one of each pair of transverse alternate flutes carries the two newly severed cigarettes and the other of the pair is'empty. To anticipate, one cigarette of each pair is picked up by the orienting wheel which rotates it through the greater part of a circle about the transverse axis of the wheel. Simultaneously the cigarette is rotated through 180 degrees about its transverse axis and delivered to an empty flute or groove in the same rotating drum.

The orienting wheel or head is arranged so that, spaced at equal angles around its cylindrical periphery, there are a number of orienting elements which grip the cigarette suctionally and convey it. The orienting wheel is disposed so that it comes into engagement with only one of the two rows of cigarettes disposed transversely in circular alignment on the fluted drum. As the orienting wheel or head, rotates about its own transverse axis, carrying the cigarette gripping and conveying elements, each of these elements is rotated through 180 degrees about an individual axis radial of the orienting wheel. As each orienting element on the orienting wheel comes into position opposite a cigarette on the fluted drum it sucks it up. As the orienting wheel rotates, the orienting element turns through an angle of 180 degrees. It then returns the oriented cigarette to what was originally an empty flute.

According to a further characteristic of the invention,

cited States Patent G the head, or wheel, may be adjusted in such manner as to pick up and reorient cigarettes from one or another row of two parallel rows having filters on opposite ends. The filter may 'be oriented selectively, so that all of them are to the right, or the left, as desired.

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention may be better understood from a consideration of the following detailed description when read with reference to the associated drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a front view of the orienting head, or wheel, parts of which are in cross section. The head is shown in coordination with a portion of a grooved drum. The drum, it is assumed, is employed for conveying the double cigarettes with their double filters from a machine which applied the filters to the cigarettes and the cigarette structure is severed, by means not shown, into individual filter cigarettes while being so conveyed.

FIGURE 2 is an axial cross section of the head or wheel shown in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a view corresponding to that of FIGURE 1, of a second embodiment of the invention.

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of a feature of the embodiment of FIGURE 3, illustrating a section of the drum and a gripping device coordinated with it, in the position for gripping a cigarette, the latter being omitted for clarity of illustration.

FIGURE 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the feature of FIGURE 4, taken substantially along the axis of the gripping device.

FIGURE 6 is a view similar to FIGURE 4, with the device in the position of discharging a cigarette onto the feeder drum.

FIGURES 7 and 8 are views corresponding to those of FIGURES 4 and S, in the position of FIGURE 6.

FIGURE 9 is a view from above of the development of the feed drum of FIGURE 3 with the device for orienting cigarettes omitted.

With reference to the drawings, and with particular reference to FIGURE 1, drum 1 is grooved, or fluted, transversely on its cylindrical periphery. The grooves or flutes are arranged alternately in two series, a first series comprising grooves such as 101B, 101D, 101E, etc., which are originally empty, and have openings pointing in the direction of rotation of the drums, and therefore better adapted to receive a reoriented cigarette, and a second series comprising grooves such as 201A, 201C, etc, alternating in position with the first series and having openings directed oppositely therefrom and therefore better adapted to permit cigarettes therein to be sucked up by the orienting elements on the orienting head,

The structure comprising the double cigarettes with the double filters therebetween are assumed to be coming from the filter applying machine, not shown, after being deposited in the grooves thereon. The cigarette structure, it is also assumed, has been severed by appropriate cutting mechanism, not shown. The individual cigarettes are now conveyed by the rotation of the drum, into position beneath the orienting head 2.

The purpose of the aforementioned head, as stated above, is to pick up, one at a time, one of the two 'cigarettes appearing in each groove of the 201 series, to rotate it by degrees around its transverse axis, and to redeposit it on drum 1, in one of the empty grooves of the 101 series. As a result of this, all of the cigarettes on the drum 1, will be oriented uniformly with their filters all disposed in the same relation to the tobacco in its respective cigarette.

For this purpose, the head 2 rotates around its own transverse axis, and is provided on its cylindrical periphery, with five elements 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D and 3E for pneumatically holding the cigarettes individually. These five orienting elements are each arranged to rotate around an individual radial axis of head 2, to effect a rotation of 180 degrees thereabout for each complete revolution of head 2, as will be described hereinafter.

With particular reference to FIGURE 2, there is attached to frame part 4, by means of bolts, for example, not shown, a tubular sleeve 5, in which tubular shell 6 is inserted. Shell 6 is arranged to slide in the direction of its longitudinal axis but it does not rotate within the sleeve 5, being held by key 105 and groove 106. Inside shell 6, and coaxial therewith, is a tubular shaft 7, which is supported for rotation within shell 6 by bearings 8 and 108, interposed between the shaft and the inner surface of shell 6. Shaft 7 terminates at its right-hand end, as seen in FIGURE 2, in a bevel gear 107. Gear 107 projects into a cylindrical cavity in head 2, and is rotatably mounted therein by means of bearing 208. Gear 107 is in engagement with five beveled gears 103, one for each element 3, which drives the element through 180 degrees thus orienting the cigarettes which they carry. On the left-hand end of shaft 7, as seen in FIGURE 2, there is keyed a gear 207 which is engaged, through an appropriate slit made in shell 6, with an appropriate driving gear 307. A second driving gear 209, mounted near driving gear 307, engages with a gear 109 keyed to one end of a tubular shaft 9, housed coaxially inside shaft 7, on appropriate bushings 309, and 409. Shaft 9 is secured at its right-hand end to the front closing disk 1102 of head 2, and serves as the driver for head 2. Shaft 9 extends toward the left beyond gear 109 inside a housing formed in a stationary element 10 joined to shell 6, and which closes the left-hand end of shaft 9. Shaft 9 is rotatably mounted within said housing by means of appropriate roller bearings. Housing 10 serves as a means of communicating suction from an appropriate source of suction, not shown, through pipe 110, hollow shaft 9, radial tubes 202, of which there is one for each orienting element, and individual ducts 302, each of which communicates suction to an individual orienting element 3 through other valve elements to be described hereinafter. The right-hand end of hollow shaft 9 is closed by a suitable screw plug 509.

Head 2, as mentioned, is provided, in the case illustrated, with five suction, cigarette gripping elements 3, spaced at equal angular distances around its cylindrical periphery. Each one of the elements 3 of head 2 is provided with a housing 402 for its individual duct 302. In each housing 402 there is inserted a sleeve 502 provided with a flange 602 embedded in an appropriate slot in head 2. Elongated openings 502A are provided in flange 602 to make possible the angular adjustment of sleeve 502 inside housing 402. Sleeve 502 is locked in the adjusted position by means of suitable bolts, such as 502B, screwed in head 2 and passing through the aforementioned elongated openings. The sleeves 502 are each provided with a valve slit 702 which extends for 180 degrees in the direction of rotation of the sleeve and which communicates with the respective duct 302 providing suction. Inside each of the sleeves 502, there is mounted a rotary tubular stem 203 which is closed at its lower end as seen in FIGURE 2. On this lower closed end there is keyed a pinion 103 which engages with pinion 107. The upper end of the stem 203 bears a cradle element 303 for gripping a cigarette. The central axial aperture of stem 203 communicates preferably with cradle element 303, and it is provided with a radial slit 403 arranged to register with slit 702 of sleeve 402.

In operation, rotation of gears 209 and 307 drives gears 109 and 207, keyed to shafts 9 and 7, respectively. The rotation of shaft 9 causes the rotation of head 2, while the rotation of shaft 7 rotates pinion 107 which rotates the five pinions 103, the five stems 203, and the five cradle elements 303 which hold and transport and orient the cigarettes. The relative speeds of rotation are calculated in such a way that each stem 203 completes, in the case illustrated, a rotation of 180 degrees for each complete 360 degree revolution of head 2. These values can be varied as required.

During the rotation of stem 203, the slit 403 of the latter comes into registry with slit 702 of sleeve 502, for 180 degrees. For the remaining 180 degrees, suction is shielded from the stems and cradles by the Walls of sleeves 502. Thus the cradle elements 303 remain connected to the suction by means of pipes 303 and 202, the tubular shaft 9 and the pipe for a period corresponding to their rotation by degrees, while for the other 180 degrees of rotation, they are isolated from it.

With particular reference to FIGURE 1, there are indicated with figures and letters 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, and 3B, the five elements for the pneumatic gripping of the cigarettes. The respective cigarettes are indicated, analogous- 'ly, by figures and numbers 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D, and 12E. As may be observed, the element 3A has just picked up one of the two cigarettes from groove 201A of drum 1. Element 3B has previously released its cigarette 12B into groove 1013, and it is now completing its rotation empty, that is, without the cigarette. The same is true for element 3D which has discharged its cigarette into groove 101D. The element 3C carries one cigarette 12C, which is being rotated counterclockwise around its own transverse axis, while it undergoes an angular displacement about the transverse axis of head 2. Finally element 3E has almost completed the orienting of cigarette 12E about the transverse axis of the cigarette as the head 2 has revolved the cigarette about the transverse axis of the head, and element 3E is about to deposit cigarette 12E in the groove 101E of drum 1. At the moment when the cigarette is ready to be deposited in a groove, such as groove 101E, and during the entire angular displacement, while empty, of elements 3, the latter remain isolated from the suction, the slit 403 having been carried beyond the stationary slit 402 which communicates with the suction. Suction is automatically reestablished after a rotation of 180 degrees by said elements 3, shortly before the latter arrived at the position where they are to pick up a cigarette from drum 1. In other words a complete cycle of operation of the head, or of wheel 2, involves two complete revolutions of wheel 2 about its own transverse axis. During each of these revolutions, each of the five elements such as 3A is rotated through 180 degrees. During one of these, suction is applied while the cigarette is picked up, oriented, conveyed and returned to the supply drum 1. During the following revolution of head 2, elements such as 3A rotate empty through a full revolution, while suction is shielded therefrom by the valve or shield in item 3A.

Attention is called to the fact that it is assumed that head 2 is picking up the cigarettes from the right hand row of supply drum 1, when viewing the drum from the left, as shown in FIGURE 1. As a result of the orientation, the filters in this row will be turned so that the filters in both rows will be to the right.

In accordance with another feature of the invention, it is possible to rotate the cigarettes in the left-hand row, as viewed from the left in FIGURE 1, so that all of the filters will then be to the left. To effect this left orientation, all that is required is to push the Wheel or head 2, as seen in FIGURE 2, through support 5 further toward the right, until it is positioned over the left-hand circular row of cigarettes on supply drum \1. This movement is made possible by arranging the structure of head 2 so that it may be translated to either the left or right in element 5. Key way 106 and gears 209 and 207 are arranged to permit this.

Refer now to FIGURES 3 through 9 which show a second embodiment of the invention. In these figures designation numbers corresponding to those in FIGURES 1 and 2 identify corresponding parts.

The amount of suction required can be reduced and a gentler pick up of the cigarettes can be effected, if the gripping element 3 is provided with an appendage ar- 5. ranged to suctionally engage a cigarette, lodged in a flute, groove, or other lateral identification on drum -1. As illustrated particularly in FIGURES 4 and 7 of the drawings, appendages 503 project from one side of the cradle element 303 beyond the limits of the surface thereof as arranged in FIGURE 1. Each appendage is arranged on its internal side with an aperture 603. The aperture is connected by means of a suitable internal channel with the central duct of stem 203, and by means of the latter, over a path heretofore traced, to the suction source.

In order to enable appendage 503 to engage a cigarette in a delivery groove 201 laterally, and to redeposit the cigarette in a receiving groove 101 on the periphery of drum 1, a groove 501 has been cut into the peripheral surface of drum 1. The groove 501 completely encircles drum 1 and intersects the transverse flutes thereon. The groove 501 has a width and depth suitable to permit appendage 503 to pass therethrough when they are in register.

In this second embodiment, presently under consideration, the head 2 and the gripper 3 and their basic functions remain unchanged. The appendage 503 when inserted in peripheral groove 501 engages a cigarette laterally. The laterally applied suction and the radially applied suction from gripper 3 in coaction with propulsion due to the movement of the appendage, facilitate the detachment and the lifting of the cigarette from its groove. As a consequence, the cigarette is separated and lifted very gently. Further, less suction power is required than in the embodiment of FIGURES 1 and 2.

In this second embodiment, while the cigarette is being redeposited in a groove after reorientation, FIGURE 6, the suction is cut off from gripping element 3, and suction is applied to the receiving groove on drum 1, in a manner to be explained. At this time the appendage 503 assists in the depositing in that it engages the cigarette laterally throughout its fall into the receiving groove. It also tends to prevent any lateral slipping of the cigarettes out of the receiving groove. In this connection, it is noted that both drum 1 and head 2 are rotating quite rapidly. This tends to increase the tendency for a cigarette to slip out of the groove during the transfer from gripping element 3 to drum 1. Such slippage is prevented in the arrangement of embodiment 2.

There is another feature included in embodiment 2 to which attention is now directed. This feature is an improved arrangement for the control of suction to the grooves, or indentations, of drum 1.

As has been mentioned, the grooves on drum 1 are arranged in two alternate series, i.e., those grooves 201 which convey the cigarettes from the input toward the reversing head and those grooves 101 which thereafter receive the reversed cigarettes. It is desirable that these grooves be connected and disconnected from the suction source at precise moments in the rotation of drum 1 so that they may coact advantageously with head 2. How this is achieved will be understood from the following explanation with reference to FIGURE 9.

In FIGURE 9 it is assumed that a supply of cigarettes is incoming from the left and that they are deposited transversely in one of the two alternating sets of flutes in each of the two circular rows of flutes on drum 1. The reversing head is not shown. It is assumed that the cigarettes pass beneath the reversing head and that the cigarettes in one of the two transverse circular rows are to be reversed. The reversed cigarettes next pass into a region where they are acted upon by a blower. There the cigarettes which have been reversed are blown transversely across the drum so that they intercolate with the cigarettes which have remained undisturbed to form a single row. The single row is then delivered to a conveyor in the desired orientation.

In the lower portion of FIGURE 9 the letters A, B, and C are shown, each between an individual pair of arrows. This is intended to indicate three phases, or angles corresponding to angles of rotation of the drum.

The succession of the various phases from the cigarette incoming station to the cigarette outgoing station may be summarized as follows:

Phase A comprises the section from the incoming station to a position adjacent that at which the cigarettes are picked Up by the reversing head. During this interval the receiving, or conveying, grooves 201 are connected to a source of suction, applied in a manner to be de scribed through drum 1, while suction is cut off from grooves 101 which receive the cigarettes after they have been reversed.

Phase B extends over only a relatively short section of drum 1 at which the drum is in registry with the reversing head 2. In this phase, the grooves 201 are cut off from the suction source so as to facilitate the effective transfer of the cigarettes to the reversing head. In this phase also the grooves 101 are connected to the suction source connected to drum 1 to facilitate the redeposit of a cigarette after transfer.

Phase C comprises the section between the orienting station and the cigarette output station. During this phase suction is removed from all of the grooves.

As mentioned in the foregoing, in this second embodiment, means are provided for controlling the connection and disconnection of suction to the grooves of drum 1 to make possible the execution of the cycle described in the foregoing. How this is performed may be understood from the following when read with reference to FIG- URES 1, 4 and 7.

A suction shielding element or tile 601 in the form of a stationary semicylindrical element is coaxial with drum 1. Element 601 is in close engagement with the internal surface of rotating drum 1, so as to provide a tight seal. Element 601 is provided with two series of peripheral grooves for each of the two cylindrical rows of cigarettes on the drum. The first series consists of two grooves 801, and the second series consists of three grooves 901. The grooves 801 and 901 are alternated in an axial direction. Grooves 801 extend angularly through a range corresponding to that described for phase A. Grooves 901 extend through a shorter angular range corresponding to that described in phase B. Grooves 801 and 901 are both connected by means of an individual collecting channel 701 to a suitable source of suction, not shown. Drum 1 is also provided with two series of radial tubes which extend respectively from grooves 101, and 201 completely through drum 1, to the internal surface of drum 1 abutting element 601. In other words, each lateral half of drum 101 has a first series of pairs of parallel radial tubes 401. These are spaced axially in correspondence with the axial displacement between the peripheral apertures 801 of element 601. A second series of three parallel radial tubes 301 are intercolated among the tubes of the first series. The axial displacement of the tubes 301 is in correspondence with the axial displacement between the three peripheral apertures 901 of element 601.

The manner in which the suction control mechanism of drum 1 functions will now be described with reference particularly to FIGURE 7.

In the region corresponding to phase A the grooves 201 are connected to a source of suction extending through drum 1. The radial tubes 301, which terminate in grooves 201, interconnect grooves 201 with the peripheral apertures 801 of element 601. Apertures 801 are connected to a source of suction through channel 701. During phase A tubes 301, which terminate in grooves 101, are shielded at their lower extremity from the suction source, due to the fact that they do not then engage with any peripheral aperture in element 601.

On arrival at the area adjacent the cigarette reversing pick up station, that is in the zone corresponding to phase B, the condition of suction connection is reversed from that described in the foregoing. This is because the tubes 301 become unshielded from the suction source upon their engagement with peripheral apertures 901, in element 601, which connect them through channel 701 to the suction source. At the same time tubes 401 are shielded from the suction source because the peripheral aperture 801 terminates in this region.

After passing beyond the cigarette reversing station, all of the tubes 301 and 401 are isolated from the suction source because there are no peripheral apertures corresponding to 801 or 901 in this region.

The blowing element 19 which is connected to a blower, not shown, then becomes eflective to propel the reoriented cigarettes transversely across the drum, in their flutes, to a position in circumferential alignment With the other cigarettes, as shown in the lower portion of FIGURE 9. As a result of this a single row of cigarettes is formed all of which have their filters oriented in the same direction.

The cigarettes thus aligned are then transferred in any appropriate manner onto a conveying element 18 which may be, for example, the belt collector of a collectingpackaging machine.

The invention is not limited to the form illustrated and described herein, but may be incorporated in other forms without departing therefrom.

What is claimed is:

1. A cigarette orienting machine comprising a cigarette orienting wheel and a coacting cigarette supply drum, a succession of pairs of flutes arranged transversely on the cylindrical surface of said supply drum, a plurality of individual cigarette orienting devices, spaced substantially one from another angularly radially, projecting from said orienting wheel, means connected to each of said orienting devices for receiving a cigarette individually from a first one of a pair of said flutes, means for orienting the received cigarette and means for returning it to a second one of a pair of said flutes.

2. In combination, a rotatable cigarette supply drum and a rotatable cigarette suction head, said drum and said head each having a transverse axis of rotation parallel one to the other, said head spaced from said drum to coact therewith, means in said suction head for receiving cigarettes from said drum, means in said suction head for reorienting said received cigarettes, and means for returning said reoriented cigarettes to said drum.

3. The combination of claim 2 in which said suction head has means for rotating said head with said received cigarettes about the said transverse axis of said head substantially through 360 degrees and other means in said head for rotating each said received cigarette substantially through degrees about its own transverse axis while being rotated through said 360 degrees.

4. The combination of claim 3 in which said means in said suction head for receiving a cigarette is provided with a valve, means in said head for opening said valve to receive and secure a cigarette during a first 360 degree rotation of said head while a received cigarette is being reoriented through said 180 degrees, and other means in said head, for actuating said valve to cut off said suction during the next following 360 degree rotation of said head.

5. In combination, cigarette reorienting mechanism comprising a rotatable cigarette supply drum and a coacting rotatable cigarette reorienting suction head, said drum and said head mounted on parallel transverse axes of rotation with the cylindrical periphery of said drum closely adjacent the periphery of said head, means for transferring cigarettes from said drum to said head, means in said head for reorienting said transferred cigarettes, a series of transverse flutes on the surface of said drum, said flutes adapted to accommodate two cigarettes in longitudinal axial alignment, so as to form a first and a second transverse row of cigarettes in peripheral alignment on said drum, said suction head being mounted by its axis in a sleeve support and means for selectively shifting said suction head in said support in transverse alignment with either said first or said second transverse row of cigarettes so as to reorient the cigarettes in either row.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,224,975 12/1940 McNamara 198-210 X 2,630,956 3/1953 Pomeroy et al. 198-210 X 3,215,250 11/1965 Schubert 198210 X EVON C. BLUNK, Primary Examiner.

HUGO O. SCHULZ, Examiner.

R. J. HICKEY, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A CIGARETTE ORIENTING MACHINE COMPRISING A CIGARETTE ORIENTING WHEEL AND A COACTING CIGARETTE SUPPLY DRUM, A SUCCESSION OF PAIRS OF FLUTES ARRANGED TRANSVERSELY ON THE CYLINDRICAL SURFACE OF SAID SUPPLY DRUM, A PLURALITY OF INDIVIDUAL CIGARETTE ORIENTING DEVICES, SPACED SUBSTANTIALLY ONE FROM ANOTHER ANGULARLY RADIALLY, PROJECTING FROM SAID ORIENTING WHEEL, MEANS CONNECTED TO EACH OF SAID ORIENTING DEVICES FOR RECEIVING A CIGARETTE INDIVIDUALLY FROM A FIRST ONE OF A PAIR OF SAID FLUTES, MEANS FOR ORIENTING THE RECEIVED CIGARETTE AND MEANS FOR RETURNING IT TO A SECOND ONE OF A PAIR OF SAID FLUTES. 